''Premnotrypes'' (Andean potato weevil) is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...

weevil Weevils are beetles belonging to the Taxonomic rank, superfamily Curculionoidea, known for their elongated snouts. They are usually small, less than in length, and Herbivore, herbivorous. Approximately 97,000 species of weevils are known. They b ...

s (which are

beetle Beetles are insects that form the order Coleoptera (), in the superorder Endopterygota. Their front pair of wings are hardened into wing-cases, elytra, distinguishing them from most other insects. The Coleoptera, with about 400,000 describ ...

s). It was described in 1914 by American

entomologist Entomology () is the scientific study of insects, a branch of zoology. In the past the term "insect" was less specific, and historically the definition of entomology would also include the study of animals in other arthropod groups, such as arach ...

W. Dwight Pierce William Dwight Pierce (November 16, 1881, Champaign, IllinoisApril 29, 1967, Los Angeles) was an American entomologist. He was one of the earliest students to graduate from the Department of Entomology and Ornithology at the University of Nebras ...

(1881-1967). Several

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...

in the genus are

pest Pest or The Pest may refer to: Science and medicine * Pest (organism), an animal or plant deemed to be detrimental to humans or human concerns ** Weed, a plant considered undesirable * Infectious disease, an illness resulting from an infection ** ...

s, because the larvae feed on

potato The potato is a starchy food, a tuber of the plant ''Solanum tuberosum'' and is a root vegetable native to the Americas. The plant is a perennial in the nightshade family Solanaceae. Wild potato species can be found from the southern Unit ...

tubers and the adults on the leaves (one species even has the

specific epithet In taxonomy, binomial nomenclature ("two-term naming system"), also called nomenclature ("two-name naming system") or binary nomenclature, is a formal system of naming species of living things by giving each a name composed of two parts, bot ...

''solanivorax'', 'potato devourer'). It is native to Latin America, in particular

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Colombia Colombia (, ; ), officially the Republic of Colombia, is a country in South America with insular regions in North America—near Nicaragua's Caribbean coast—as well as in the Pacific Ocean. The Colombian mainland is bordered by the Car ...

Ecuador Ecuador ( ; ; Quechua: ''Ikwayur''; Shuar: ''Ecuador'' or ''Ekuatur''), officially the Republic of Ecuador ( es, República del Ecuador, which literally translates as "Republic of the Equator"; Quechua: ''Ikwadur Ripuwlika''; Shuar: ''Eku ...

and

Peru , image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg , image_coat = Escudo nacional del Perú.svg , other_symbol = Great Seal of the State , other_symbol_type = Seal (emblem), National seal , national_motto = "Fi ...

, but has been recorded as a possible

invader ''InVader'' is the fourth album by Finnish glam metal band Reckless Love, released on 4 March 2016 through Spinefarm Records. Track listing All songs written by Olli Herman, Pepe Reckless, and Ikka Wirtanen, unless otherwise noted. Reception Wr ...

on other continents.

Species

''Premnotrypes'' includes the following species: * '' Premnotrypes clivosus'' ( 1956) * '' Premnotrypes fractirostris'' ( Marshall 1936) * ' (Pierce 1914) * ''

Premnotrypes piercei ''Premnotrypes'' (Andean potato weevil) is a genus of weevils (which are beetles). It was described in 1914 by American entomologist W. Dwight Pierce (1881-1967). Several species in the genus are pests, because the larvae feed on potato tubers ...

'' ( Alcalá 1979) * ''

Premnotrypes pusillus ''Premnotrypes'' (Andean potato weevil) is a genus of weevils (which are beetles). It was described in 1914 by American entomologist W. Dwight Pierce (1881-1967). Several species in the genus are pests, because the larvae feed on potato tubers ...

'' (Kuschel 1956) * ''

Premnotrypes sanfordi ''Premnotrypes'' (Andean potato weevil) is a genus of weevils (which are beetles). It was described in 1914 by American entomologist W. Dwight Pierce (1881-1967). Several species in the genus are pests, because the larvae feed on potato tubers ...

'' (Pierce 1918) * ''

Premnotrypes solani ''Premnotrypes'' (Andean potato weevil) is a genus of weevils (which are beetles). It was described in 1914 by American entomologist W. Dwight Pierce (1881-1967). Several species in the genus are pests, because the larvae feed on potato tubers ...

'' (Pierce 1914) (

type species In zoological nomenclature, a type species (''species typica'') is the species name with which the name of a genus or subgenus is considered to be permanently taxonomically associated, i.e., the species that contains the biological type specimen ...

) * ''

Premnotrypes solaniperda ''Premnotrypes'' (Andean potato weevil) is a genus of weevils (which are beetles). It was described in 1914 by American entomologist W. Dwight Pierce (1881-1967). Several species in the genus are pests, because the larvae feed on potato tubers ...

'' (Kuschel 1956) * ''

Premnotrypes solanivorax ''Premnotrypes'' (Andean potato weevil) is a genus of weevils (which are beetles). It was described in 1914 by American entomologist W. Dwight Pierce (1881-1967). Several species in the genus are pests, because the larvae feed on potato tubers ...

'' ( Heller 1935) * ' (Kuschel 1956) * ' ( Hustache 1933) * '' Premnotrypes zischkai'' (Kuschel 1956)

References

* Curculionidae Beetles described in 1914 Agricultural pest insects Potatoes Taxa named by W. Dwight Pierce {{Curculionidae-stub